Tank-rafter bracket



Oct. 27, 1925- w. w. FORD TANK RAFTER BRACKET Filed June 24, 1924 Patented Oct. 27, 1925.

time PATENT OFF-ice.

WILLIAM W. FORD, DFPHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

assu e ssentia- Application fir s June 24, 1924 Serial no. 7 23,925.

new and useful Improvements in a 'lank- Rafter Bracket, of which the following is a I specification.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in a tank rafter bracket, and

has for its primary object to provide an exceedingly simple and effective device of this character which be strong and durable and which'may be attached to the upper edge of a' tank wall without the use of fastening means or devices. 7

Another object of the invention is to construct a tank rafter bracket in such manner that the ends of a rafter may be secured to' a pair of such brackets so as to strengthen the tank crosswise thereof and more particularly when used in conjunction with the tank lugs as fully described in my co-pending application filed as of even date herewith.

A further object of the invention is. to construct a tank rafter bracket comprising a stirrup and hanger, the latter adapted to engage the upper edge and outer face of a tank while the former is located within the tank so that a portion engages the inner face of the tank.

A still further object of my invention is to swingingly mount the stirrup on the hanger for adjustment purposes.

With these ends in view, this invention consists in the details of construction and combination of elements hereinafter set forth and then specifically designated by the claims.

In order that those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains, may under-V strand how to make and use the same, I will describe its construction in detail, referring by numerals to the acompanying drawing forming a part of this application, in which Fig. 1, is a fragmentary side elevation of a tank such as is used for storing large quantities of water on the tops of buildings or towers.

Fig. 2, is a plan view of a rafter bracket for use with tanks of this character.

Fig. '3, is an end view thereof looking into the stirrup,

Fig; 4:, is a side elevation of the same.

5, is a section at the line 5 5 of Fig/2.

n arrying ut m nve tion as he e embodied, 2 represents the tank rafter bracket as a whole comprising broadly two main elements known as a stirrup 3 and a hanger 4:2- The s irrup m r e a r t m W115, att nd Wall 6 and a pa r f pa 'f d Wells P e e ably f rians lsr'sh pe as s ow inFigsl t and 5" and these side walls have holes 8 therethrough. From the bottom wall 5 projects a trunnion 10 which passes through a hole 11 in the step 12 of the hanger 4. With the step 12 is formed the riser 13, from the upper edge of which projects a plate lt having a depending flange 15 at the extreme outer end. The depending flange 15 is spaced from the riser 13 of the hanger a sufficient distance to snugly fit the wall of a tank. j

A tank wall 16 is shown in Fig. 1 and the upper edge thereof is notched as at 17 to receive the plate 14 of the hanger so that when the latter is properly positioned its upper face will lie flush with theedge of the tank wall.

The stirrup is held against accidental displacement relative to the hanger by means of a cotter pin 18, or its equivalent, passing through the trunnion 10 beneath the hanger step.

In practice a pair of these rafter brackets are used in cooperative relation b placing them on opposite sides of the tan 'When so positioned the ends of a rafter which will reach entirely across the inside of the tank are set in the stirrups, these being swung to any angle on their respective hangers to compensate for the curvature of the tank, and holes are then drilled through the ends of said rafter so as to align with the holes 8 in the side walls of the stirrup. When this has been done suitable fastening devices, such as bolts and nuts or pins, may be inserted in the holes 8 and passed through the rafter ends which will securely fasten the rafter in the brackets and as the hanger portions of the brackets engage the outer faces of the tank while the ends and walls of the stirrups engage the inner faces of said tank walls said tank walls are practically tied. After a rafter or rafters are in place a tank top may be built or mounted on the rafters and the upper edge of the tank.

Of course I do not wish to be limited to the exact details of construction as herein shown as these may be varied within the limits of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and useful is l. A tank rafter bracket comprising a hunger to engage the upper edge and outer face of a tank wall and a stirrup adjustably mounted on the hanger and comprising an end wall engaging the inner surfaces of the tank, a bottom wall and apertured spaced side walls.

2. Asan article of manufacture, a tank rafter bracket including a stirrup consisting of an end wall, a bottom wall projecting therefrom, spaced side walls connected with the end and bottom walls, a hanger including a step on which the stirrup is rotatably mounted, a riser, a plate projecting outwardly from the upper end of the riser, and a depending flange at the outer extremity of the plate. a

3. The combination with a tank having a notch in the upper edge thereof, of a rafter bracket including an end wall for engagement with the inner surface of the tank, an outwardly projecting plate positioned in the notch in the tank, a flange depending from the outer end of the plate in engagement with the outer face of the tank, a bottom wall projecting from the lower edge of the end wall at right angles thereto for supporting the end of a rafter, spaced side walls projecting from said bottom wall to the end wall for partially housing the end of the rafter, said side walls having holes therethrough for the reception of a suitable fastening device which passes through the rafter.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto aflixed my signature.

WILLIAM W. FORD. 

